Once external tables have been linked to a database can the links ever get dropped accidentally.

ie should I test for missing links and recreate them programatically or assume that it will never happen?

It is easy enough to identify links which are present but any code which loops through the tabledefs will only identify links which are present.

I think the best approach, if this is necessary, would be to count the number of external links, compare the answer to what it should be, and refresh all the links if theree is a difference.

normally no as the links are all held in the system object table.

to view this use the following SQL

SELECT MSysObjects.Database
FROM MSysObjects
WHERE (((MSysObjects.Database) Is Not Null))
ORDER BY MSysObjects.Database;

Thank you

nevertheless its worth having something that recreates the links - if you move your be for instance, or install on a new computer.. it looks professional, and more importantly will save you loads of time